V & M Calisto Guest House

I am a backpacker and I am always looking out for great bargains. In the process I have come some horrible places that are cheap – and I am speaking about money. The V & M Calisto is in this aspect a honest place. It offers clean and very decent accommodation at low cost. It deserves every penny it charges.

The rooms are Spartan in furnishing with the barest necessary items; however, they are clean, spacious and warm. I loved my rooms the moment I set my foot in it. It made me feel at home. There are no frills here but for the price you should not expect any. I was looking for a clean and comfortable place to sleep in – and this is exactly what this is. There is no TV, refrigerator, air conditioning , etc – but the room and the restroom are clean.

The location is a great plus point, too. Just about 5 kilometers from the Arambol Sweet Water Lake and walking distance from the beach, this is definitely a good thing. For those who like the market and shopping, you will find that these are within walking distance.

The only thing I wanted, which was not there was a restaurant. During the day time I did not miss it for I love going on foot in Goa; but at night when I returned completely beat I kind of hated to again get up and get out to a restaurant for a meal. It is true that most times the staff obliged me by running and getting my order from the closest restaurants around, but even so – I would have preferred that they had a restaurant on the premise.

Overall, I liked the place. It is exactly what it says it is – a guest house. You want something sans frills at low cost – this is a great choice for you!

We were looking for a bargain accommodation for we are a large family – my wife, our four children, my mother, and myself. Our vacation was long overdue and I have had some friends who had recently celebrated their honeymoon in Goa and came back so full of praise that we decided instantly to set our next vacation there.

Found the place on the Net and upon inquiries and reading reviews we liked what we read and booked the place. My wife was a little worried for we were traveling during peak season and my mother is a little finicky about cleanliness and stuff. Need not have worried at all for the V & M Calisto Guest house is all that people say about it – simple, unpretentious and yet very hospitable. It is clean – which is very important for us for the children (and my mother as well). The children wanted air conditioning - but in January it is not needed, really – so no problems there. I guess though in summer it might be a necessity.

The only problem we faced was that they do not have a restaurant on site so you have to go out to eat or pack things back. My mother is old and not a fan of walking too much. So though restaurants were within walking distance we ended up paying quite some money to taxies for ferrying us to and fro close by restaurants.

The staff were very cooperative and often bought us food and stuff from the market without asking for tips. When we went out and left my mother behind, they were kind enough to check in every now and then to see whether she is okay or needed anything. That was really nice and this gesture made a place in my heart.

I think I can safely recommend this guest house to anyone who wants a no-nonsense accommodation that is comfortable and at low cost. We loved it and I am going to recommend it to all my friends. When we can come again for a vacation I will surely come back here. It is worth a repeat trip!!!

We were a group of 8 people on a celebration holiday. We are all IT people who bagged a great project – and hence wanted to celebrate in Goa our success. Coming from Delhi wanted to stay away from the noise and hustle bustle of the city and yet we wanted to pay least on the accommodation without compromising on comfort – if not luxury. The V & M Calisto Guest House was recommended by friends – and we did find it perfect.

The setting is superb – in the midst of rice fields and lush greenery that is a feat to the eyes. The restaurant is just about 5-7 minutes away and the local market about 10 minutes. The lovely Ashwem beach is just some 5 minutes away. Another superb beach – the Morjim beach – is just “round the corner”. This is also the place where turtles come for nesting – though this was not the right time for us.

Yet another WOW place to visit around here is the Sweet lake of Aramabol, which is about 5-6 kms away from the Guest house. The rooms are basic yet comfortably furnished. The service is great and even though we were a loud bunch out for fun and frolic we were waited hand and foot throughout.

When we wanted to go out for a spin, the management offered us a guide and made travel arrangements for us – which were adequate cost wise and superb service wise. Later on, we hired bikes with their help and went around Goa.

There is nothing not to like in this Guest House. Maybe for women travelers the place is a little secluded – but for family vacationers and groups like us this was just great.

We loved staying here and we are definitely coming back here whenever we get time to take a break again. Fully recommend it to everyone!!